Microbrewers get behind industry review

REGINA – Creating just the right flavour of beer is considered an art form at Rebellion Brewery.

Beyond the next pint, brewmaster Mark Heise would also like to craft a plan to fill his growlers – essentially, refillable beer containers – in more locations.

“The only place in the province we can do that right now is next door in our offsale brewpub area,” Heise said. “Nowhere else can you get that type of a product and we’d like to see that change.”

Heise points to a change similar to one in Manitoba, where you can get a growler refilled at government liquor stores. He also wants to be able to produce more beer before being taxed at a much higher rate.

“(Prohibition) was proven to be a failure, yet we’re still using regulations put in place back then.”

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“It’s not a barrier to enter the market, it’s a barrier to continue to expand and grow your market and really be profitable,” Heise said.

With five microbreweries, six cottage wineries and four microdistilleries, the number of craft alcohol producers in Saskatchewan is on the rise. It’s one reason why the government will issue a request for proposal (RFP) for a third-party to conduct a review.

“It’s a complex industry because you have stakeholders like big corporations, … you have the provincial government involved with taxation, and now you have the craft industry,” said Don McMorris, minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA).

McMorris said the review will address challenges such as the mark-up structure, production thresholds and direct shipping of craft alcohol to retailers.

READ MORE: Saskatchewan, B.C. removing wine, craft spirits trade barriers

Beer enthusiasts say a lot has changed over the years in the craft beer industry.

“People would drink one beer because that was the beer their dad drank and that was the beer their grandfather drank and that was the beer they’d drink for the rest of their lives,” said Marc Loszchuk, an executive member of the Ale & Lager Enthusiasts of Saskatchewan (ALES). “Now people are more interested in variety.”

So, should new rules follow? Heise said the ones we have now still resemble the prohibition era.

“It was proven to be a failure, yet we’re still using regulations put in place back then,” Heise said.

Once the government chooses a successful proposal, the review is expected to begin in March or April. Results are expected by fall 2015.